S. Sudan’s Raja town attack claimed 74 lives: officials

April 19, 2017 (JUBA) - At least 74 people were killed when armed opposition forces allied to South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar attacked Raja, the Lol state administrative headquarter, last week.

Rizik Zachariah Hassan, Governor of Lol state (UN photo)

Officials say three civilians and a number of government forces were wounded. Several properties were also destroyed, as the town was looted by rival forces when each side claimed to be in control.

In a statement issued Monday, Lol state information ministry commended government forces for having stood their ground when the town was attacked from three different directions.

“On behalf of the government of Lol state, we are grateful and thankful to our gallant SPLA forces of division five (5) under the command of Col. Albino Akol Mayuol. Their strong stand by repulsing and destroyed the enemy fully and control situation”, it read in part.

The armed attackers, it claimed, suffered heavy casualties during last week’s clashes.

“On the enemy side, 44 soldiers were killed in action at the barrack and 15 were killed in the attack on the state house. The total of those killed in action on enemy side is 59. On the government side, 4 soldiers were killed in action during a battle for control of the military barrack and another killed in the state house. 10 civilians were killed and 3 others wounded in the crossfire”, further noted the statement.

According to the ministry’s statement, the attacking forces launched came from three different directions and that while one group targeted the military barrack, the other aimed at the governor’s residence, whereas the third group planned to attack the market.

“The enemy size was about a battalion under command of Lt Col Mach Tap, who was a corporal in division five (5) and joined the rebels SPLM/A-IO in 2013,” the government said in its statement.

Sudan Tribune could not independently verify the authenticity of the statement from the government while the armed opposition faction remained tight-lipped on the matter.

Residents and observers told Sudan Tribune that several government officials lost their lives when the town came under attack, expressing fear that those killed on the government side could be higher than on the opposition side.

Meanwhile, the United Nations mission in South Sudan has urged the warring parties to silence guns and demonstrate responsibility as violence escalates.

(ST)

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20 April 00:54, by Equatoria1

Once again Kiir have massacre more innocent lives of non Dinka. Kiir,his militias(Mathiang Anyoors, and gangs of elders (JCE) are no human but vampires who feed on non Dinka human blood. It is great the world is getting to know this more clearer before we could make our case against these gangs. IO gave you chance because they handled their shit with emotion & also have ’control’ agenda.

Even when it’s very clear to the world that OI attacked Raja and killed innocent people, very dumb people still need help to know that. I know now why they are fighting, they are dumb and they can be used by anyone to fight senseless war. This is why I say government should use both peace approach and war. We are fighting the dumbest enemy.

Ms. Equatoria1
you are mentally sick about Dinka. now in Raja issue, who attached who? your tribal mentality will never hand you anything. it is very clear that the rebels are the one attacking government but now you are talking shit about Dinka. do not drag me into tribal comment. I am a nationalist not tribal man like you

Ms PEACE FOR ALL
What can you call yourself if you call me a ’mentally sick’ given that you are nothing but Jenge!!!!
You brand me a tribal while you the Jenge are the one carrying out ethnic cleansing & genocide against non Dinka now in South Sudan??? Just shut your mouth before I insult you

Garang Akiir or SHIT
Tell me when and where I mentioned to you that I am an IO. Mind you IO or IG (whole shit of SPLM faction) is not by default. I am talking about Jenge carrying genocide in South Sudan now yah bagara inti

Well done SPLA! Let those thugs faced it hard. In our history as SPLA mainstream, we never attacked civilians markets, that mean, their tactic was to overrun the market, so that they looted and rapes whatever elder and children they caught. Things are creating a degree of crimes! They MUST be taught.

Attack on Raja Town:
Please read this .........."Residents and observers told Sudan Tribune that several government officials lost their lives when the town came under attack, expressing fear that those killed on the government side could be higher than on the opposition side.".......mark this and I was one of those eyewitness and Observers.....

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